Even as churches are denouncing the Harry Potter series for its witchcraft and wizardry, they are urging Christians to visit the theaters to watch Disney's new flick
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. The film, based on a book by Christian theology expert C S Lewis, will hit the theaters on December 9.
According to Christian leaders, the film promotes Christians value and is a good tool to instill the values in children ahead of Christmas. “Churches are encouraged to explore this theme by engaging with the journey of Lucy, Edmund, Peter and Susan, as through the wardrobe they enter a world of ice and snow where it is always winter, but never Christmas. Congregations are asked to consider what the world would be like if Christmas never came and are reminded of the importance of the gift we are given at Christmas, past present and future,” said a Methodist spokesman.
The story of the film revolves around Narnia, a kingdom that's under the curse of an evil witch. A lion Aslan, along with four children, visits the kingdom and topples the witch's regime, freeing the kingdom from the clutches of the witch's spell.
Lewis, who wrote books like
Mere Christianity,
The Screwtape Letters, and
A Preface to Paradise Lost on Christianity, used Aslan as a representation of Jesus Christ. The seven books in the Narnia series use values like truth, loyalty and will power extensively in the storylines.
To inspire churchgoers to watch the film, a church in Kent has announced that it would give away 10,000 theater tickets for the film to single parent families. The church's director of worship Russ Hughes said, “C S Lewis is a great Christian hero, who wrote lots of books on theology but also these fantastic, classic books.
The Chronicles of Narnia speak of some really great values – the value of commitment, the value of sacrifice and resurrection – that things can come back from the dead.” On December 7, the film will premiere at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
News of the upcoming release of the film has boosted the sales of the books as well. “A lot of people who read them as a child want to introduce them to their own children. This is a steppingstone-type thing for children who like fantasy. It's a wonderful book to read aloud,” said Kathy Witwer of the Allen County Public Library.
Many churches are also planning events around the story to use the opportunity to reinforce the values of Christianity. Christian Publishing and Outreach (CPO), an evangelical publisher, has managed to obtain a couple of stills from the film for posters, greeting cards and folders. “A lot of churches have been ordering and will be staging their own events. We have seen very big demand across the range,” said Russ Bravo of CPO. “We have a what-to-do guide, outlines that give ministers ideas on how to deliver sermons, material for Sunday schools,” he added.
Meanwhile, a walk-through based the film is being planned for visitors at the Disney-MGM Studios to give them a fantastical experience. The opening of the walk-through will coincide with the opening of film on December 9.
Through a magical wardrobe, guests will make the entry to the frozen world of Narnia. Snow-clad landscape, the White Witch's Castle, elaborate creatures and costumes and other props used during the making of the film will bring the book to life. “We are very excited to showcase this spectacular film in such a grand fashion. Immersing guests in the magic of show business is what the Disney-MGM Studios is all about. This experience is the perfect addition to our lineup of thrilling movie, TV and music-themed attractions,” said Michael O'Grattan, vice president, Disney-MGM Studios.
